Walking closer with Him day by day

Month: May 2016

John 6:7 –Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

Jesus had just finished teaching great multitudes. Hoards had followed Him to hear Him preach and be spiritually filled. But, the listening crowd had not eaten all day. As their spiritual hunger was quenched they forgot all about their physical hunger. When the disciples brought Jesus news of this, they began to be worried. Thinking practically, they thought that they did not have near enough money. They worried about the logistics of feeding such a large multitude. But as they worried, the King of Kings sat next to them ready to work a miracle.

It is easy now to laugh and realize the foolishness of the disciples’ ways. It may seem obvious to us that the disciples did not need to worry, but we do the same ourselves. Though Christ is with us all the time, we still worry about money and other things. But, like the disciples, while we are trying to think practically and solve problems on our own, the King of Kings is right there beside us ready to work a miracle. Whatever your particular situation, don’t worry. Have faith in Christ. He will work it out.

Galatians 5:22,23 – 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

When we abide with God and His Spirit abides with us, we have joy in our hearts. Its unmistakable presence is yet another tell-tale fruit of the Spirit. This joy is not necessarily constant happiness or an inability to feel sadness. Instead, it is a certain kind of peace and contentment found through the goodness of the Lord.

It is different than anything we could ever find of ourselves. All the things and people that give us joy are not permanent. Positions can be taken away, things can be stolen, and people can betray us. But God’s joy is everlasting. The joy His children have in Him will never pass away.

Trust God’s joy today. Abide in Him and choose to have Him be the center of your heart and life. And experience the wonderful gift of divine, everlasting joy.

Further Reading – Romans 14:17 – For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Isaiah 55:6 – Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near

Sooner or later the time for seeking will be over. Probation will pass and it will be too late to choose the Lord. All spiritual decisions will be final; our rewards will be set.

We cannot continue to act without urgency, as if we will have forever to decide to seek the Lord and choose to follow Him. We must seek the Lord while we can. We don’t know when our souls will be required of us or when probation will close. It is unwise to take such a chance. Choose Him now. Search for Him and call on Him while He is near. Do not wait for a more convenient time or place. The next breath is promised to no one. Seek Him now.

Further Reading – 2 Corinthians 6:2 – …behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Galatians 5:22,23 – 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

It’s no wonder love is the first fruit mentioned. Throughout the Bible it is touted as an attribute to be desired above all others. Jesus Himself said loving God and your neighbor were the two greatest commandments, and Paul counted it greater than faith and hope in his letter to the Corinthians. And, according to 1 John, a person who doesn’t not possess this spiritual fruit does not know the Lord or His ways.

This fruit is what paves the way for all the others. If we have love in our hearts towards our God, then we will allow His Spirit to work on hearts and make them hospitable to the other fruits. And, if we have love in our hearts toward our fellow brethren, then we will have no issue showing the other fruits towards them. Gentleness and patience towards even those who wrong us will become second nature because of the overwhelming, tender love in our hearts.

We must seek all of these gifts, but first and foremost, we must have love. Its importance cannot be overemphasized, for it is how Christ’s disciples are set apart. It is an integral part of what it means to be a Christian. If you want to have this all important spiritual fruit and be counted among God’s number, ask the Lord for a measure of His love today. In His love, He will not refuse you.

Further Reading – Matthew 22:36-40 – 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

1 Corinthians 13:13 – And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 John 4:8 – He that loves not knows not God; for God is love.

John 13:35 – By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 15:4,5 – 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abides in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

In yesterday’s blog post, we discussed why bearing fruit is an essential part of the Christian walk. After all, our religious experience should be more than just empty words or actions. Tangible evidence of our connection to Christ, fruit, should be found. But, now that we know it’s importance, how do we bear fruit? How do we change from barren, fruitless trees to fruitful branches?

The answer was given to us by Christ during His time here on earth: abide in Him. Abide in His word and with His Spirit. Walk with Him daily and abide in His light. Abide with Him through prayer. Stay constantly connected to Christ, for it is only through Him we can bear fruit.

Abiding in Christ is not an easy task. Our feet naturally want to wander from the paths of righteousness. But, it is definitely a worthwhile task. When we abide in Christ, we don’t just bear fruit, we bear a bountiful harvest. Today, choose to abide in Him.

Matthew 21:19 – And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

My family has quite the backyard orchard. At over 30 trees, we are quickly approaching the size of a small farm. None of our trees are more infamous than the first tree we ever planted, a nectarine tree purchased about three years ago. It was a large tree when we bought it, and it has continued to grow throughout the years. But, it has never produced fruit. This 5-6-year-old tree, easily the largest one in the orchard, flowers every single year and passes the harvest season full of leaves and barren of fruit.

A fruitless tree in an orchard is a waste of resources. Many times we have wanted to declare this tree “good for nothing” and chop it down. If a fruit tree doesn’t produce fruit, then what good is it? Likewise, if a Christian doesn’t produce spiritual fruit what good is that person’s Christianity?

Many of us are like that nectarine tree. We seem to grow stronger in our faith. To all observers, we appear righteous and holy. But, come harvest time, we are found without fruit. Year after year we bear the leaves of outward piety, but we are barren of the spiritual fruit of true righteousness.

We haven’t cut that nectarine tree down yet. It’s still in the orchard bearing leaves, flowers, and hopefully this year, fruit. You too have this period of grace. Before the final harvest, you have the opportunity to bring forth fruit. It cannot be done in your own strength though. It is only through the Lord’s power we can bear the fruits of His Spirit.

Further Reading – Galatians 5:22,23 – 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

John 15:2 – Every branch in me that bears not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

*Note* The image at the top of this post is of that infamous nectarine tree.

Ephesians 6:12-13 – 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Too often we forget just how strong a force we wrestle with every day. We regularly fight battles against forces stronger than any earthly power. Each temptation is a fierce confrontation requiring the best weapons, protection, and spiritual support.

Such a formidable battle should not be waged lightly. Only the best spiritual armor will help us resist the strength of the devil. There is none better than the armor of God. Nothing else offers us complete and total protection. Nothing else offers us the strength to withstand. Today, put on the whole armor of God. Avail yourself of its protection and guidance, for it is the only way we can overcome.